Table and chair structure



19, 1965 T. H. WARDLAW ETAL 3,212,315

TABLE AND CHAIR STRUCTURE Filed July 23, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVEIYTOQS W ToM MwAmAw.

f Noe/MAM DOLSKY 0642 M 11535104411144 BY DAV/b .MASLAN Wm M49 0ATTOE/VfYS Oct. 19, 1965 T, H. WARDLAW ETAL 3,212,815

TABLE AND CHAIR STRUCTURE Filed July 25, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 g[AWL-#7025 4 I Tan H. wneouw Noznmv P015100 fDGAE M LIEBERMAN .5

Dawn Mnsuu ATTODIVEYS United States Patent 3,212,815 TABLE AND CHAIRSTRUCTURE Tom H. Wardlaw, Phoenix, Ariz., Norman Polsky, PrairieVillage, Kans., and Edgar M. Lieberman and David Maslan, Kansas City,Mo., assignors to Fixtures Manufacturing Corporation, Kansas City, Mo.,a corporation of Missouri Filed July 23, 1962, Ser. No. 211,589

10 Claims. (Cl. 297-170) This invention relates to articles offurniture, and more particularly to a table and chair structure.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a tableand plurality of chairs combination in which the chairs are supported onrollers for movement of the chairs in a defined arcuate path relative tothe table with a substantial absence of force tending to move the tableposition as the result of such chair movement; to provide a chairstructure with supporting rollers having axes fixed relative to thechair and said axes extending through a vertical axis spaced from thechair whereby the chair moves on the rollers in an are about saidvertical axis; to provide a table and chair combination wherein aplurality of such chairs are spaced around the table with rigid meansextending from the respective chairs and pivotally connected to thetable on a respective vertical axis for swinging movement of the chairrelative to the table; to provide such a structure wherein therespective vertical axis of the pivotal connection with the tableintersects each of the axes of the rollers of the respective chair; toprovide such a structure wherein the chairs serve as the sole supportingmeans for the table; to provide such a structure wherein the chairs aredetachable to enable the chairs to be used separately; to provide such atable and chair combination with an extension table top with the chairspositioned whereby the chair normally positioned at the table edgeadjacent the extension will swing to a position at an adjacent side edgeof the table and corresponding edge of the extension; to provide a tableand chair combination wherein the chairs have arms and the connectionsof the chairs to the table top are by rigid extensions from one of thechair arms with the pivotal connections of the chairs equally spacedinwardly from the table edges and the chairs spaced around said table;and to provide such a table and chair combination that is economical tomanufacture, easily assembled and disassembled, that presents astructure having movable portions whereby it is easy to clean thesupporting surfaces thereunder.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table and chair combinationconstructed in accordance with the present invention and in assembledrelation.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the table and chair structure with the axes ofthe rollers of one chair indicated by broken lines that intersect withthe vertical axis of swinging movement of the respective chair.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the table and chair structure.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the pivotalconnection between the chair and table taken on the line 4-4, FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is anelevational view of a roller carrier secured to a chair'leg.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a table and chaircombination and a tableextension with the chairs positioned therearound.

ice

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view through the table and extensiontaken on the line 77, FIG. 6.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a table and chair structurewhich includes a table top 2 and a plurality of chairs 3 pivotallyconnected to the table top for swinging movement relative thereto withsaid chairs movably supported on roller assemblies 4 arranged with theaxes of the rollers fixed relative to the respective chair. The tabletop can be made of any desired material and is not restricted as toshape. In the structure illustrated, the table top is polygonal and hasan upper surface 5, side edges 6 and the bottom surface of said tabletop is preferably inclined downwardly and inwardly as at 7 terminatingin a preferably fiat bottom surface 8. In the structure illustrated, thetable top is supported by the chairs and the chairs are spaced aroundsaid table top.

The chairs 3 include seat portions 9 and preferably have a plurality ofspaced legs or support members 10 in supporting relationship thereto.Each of the chairs have a rigid member or extension 11 suitably fixedthereto and extending therefrom terminating in an end or bearing portion12 pivotally mounted on a member 13 fixed to the table whereby the chairis adapted for swinging movement on a vertical axis through the bearingmember 12. In the structure illustrated, the member 13 consists of apost or pin 14 suitably secured to the table top in depending relationthereto. The post is fixed to a plate 15 that is secured to the tabletop by suitable fastening devices such as screws 16 that have heads 17engaging the plate 15 and threaded shanks 18 extending through apertures19 therein. In the structure illustrated, the post 14 has a cylindricalportion 20- terminating in a downwardly extending tapered portion 21.The posts 14 are preferably spaced equidistantly around the table andequally spaced inwardly from the edges 6 thereof with the axes of theposts spaced laterally outwardly from one side of the respective chairwhen in its normal position for a person seated at the table.

In the structure illustrated, the chairs 3 have portions 22 extendingabove the seats 9 terminating in oppositely directed arm portions 23supporting arm rests 24. The illustrated chairs have backs 25 withforwardly extending members 26 that include the arm rests 24 on thechair arms. The rigid member 11 is an extension of one of the armportions 23 that extends from the chair arm toward the table and curveslaterally outwardly to a position under the respective post 14. In thestructure illustrated, the rigid portions 11 are tubular with theportion under the table curving upwardly as at 27 and terminating in aface 28 having supporting engagement with the plate 15. The tubularportion has a bearing portion 12 with an upwardly opening bore 29 thatrotatably receives the post 14, whereby the rigid member 11 is spaceddownwardly from the bottom surface 8 of the table top sufiiciently thatthere is no danger of a persons hand positioned on the member 11 beingpinched or scuffed on movement of the respective chair. In theillustrated structure, a fastening structure retains the post 14 in thebearing portion 12, said structure being a screw 28' threaded into athreaded bore 29' with an inner end positioned in a groove 14 in thepost 14 whereby the rigid member is rotative on the post 14.

The chair legs or support members 10 have rigidly secured to the lowerends thereof roller carriers 30 which rotatably mount rollers 31 onaxles 32 having axes fixed relative to the respective chair. In thestructure illustrated, the carriers 30 are rigidly secured to thesupport members 10 as by welding as at 33. The rollers are arranged onthe respective legs or supports 10 to engage the floor or supportingsurface and support the respective chair movably as permitted by therollers. The axes of the rollers are each in fixed relationship to therespective chair whereby each of the axes 34, 35, 36 and 37 of a chair,as illustrated in FIG. 2, intersects the vertical axis 38 of arespective post 14 on the table about which the respective chair ismovable.

In the structure illustrated, the table top is supported solely by thechairs and their pivotal connections with said table top and the fixedarrangements of the axes of the rollers 31 relative to the vertical axes38 is such that the chair may move toward and away from the sittingposition at the table with each of said rollers tending to move in adefined path about said vertical axes whreby movement of the individualchair does not exert any lateral force on the table top and thereby doesnot alter the selected position of the table top. Also, the arrangementof the rollers on the respective chairs is such that if a lateral forceis applied to a side of the table tending to change the table position,that force is resisted by the rollers on various chairs wherein the axesof the rollers are not perpendicular to the line of that force as such aforce tends to move such rollers axially for any movement of the tabletop position. It is to be understood that while in the illustratedstructure the table top is solely supported by the chairs, said tabletop can have independent support and, with the chairs rotatablyconnected to the table structure for movement about vertical axes withsaid vertical axes extending through common points of all of the axes ofthe rollers of the respective chairs, the chairs will have therelationships and movement relative to the table, as above described. Itis also to be understood that the chair and roller structure asdescribed may be connected to other furniture or members for captivemovement relative thereto, and that the chair can be used separatelyand, with the arrangement of the axes of the rollers extending through acommon vertical axis, movement of the chair on said rollers will be inan are about that vertical axis. It is further to be understood that therigid member 11 may be fixed relative to any rigid portion of the chairand extend under the table and have the pivotal connection therewith onthe vertical axis 38 as heretofore described.

In assembling and using a table and chair structure, with the posts 14secured to the table top in depending relation to the bottom surface 8thereof and spaced around the table in the desired chair positions, thechairs may be provided in a similar arrangement and the table top liftedover the extensions 11 and the bearing members 12 aligned with thedepending posts and then the table top lowered whereby the posts enterthe bores 29. Then the screw 28' is tightened and the structure is thenready for use. A person desiring to sit at the table may grasp a chair 3and pull same whereby the chair swings and/ or rolls outwardly from thetable edge, the swinging movement being about the vertical axis of thepost for the respective chair. When the chair is swung out from thetable edge, a person may be seated in the chair and then move toward thetable whereby the chair moves on the rollers 31 in an arcuate path toswing back to the normal seating position for a person at the tableedge. The table top is supported by the chairs and remains in positionregardless of whether the chairs are at the seating position alongsidethe table or whether one or all of the chairs are swung outwardly fromthe table edge. The table top as illustrated will also be supported fromthe chairs even if two of the chairs are swung to a position alongsideof the next adjacent chair whereby the chairs are in pairs arranged inside by side relationship at opposed sides of the table top.

In the structure illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the table top 39 haschairs 40, 41, 42 and 43 of the structure corresponding to thatdescribed relative to the chair 3, with each of said chairs rollinglymounted on rollers 31 having their axes fixed relative to the respectivechair. Each of said chairs are mounted relative to the table top but thechair 40 which normally would be positioned at the side edge 45 of thetable is swung about its respective vertical axis to a side by sideposition with the chair 41. A table top extension 46 is mounted with itsedge 47 abutting the edge 45 of the table top 39 and, in the illustratedstructure, said table top extension 46 is supportedby arms 48 thatextend in sockets 49 fixed under the table top 39. However, it is to beunderstood that the extension may be otherwise suitably supported in theabutting relationship to the table top 32 whereby the side edges 50 and51 of the extension are in alignment with corresponding side edges 52and 53 respectively of the table top 39, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Withthis arrange ment, the chair 40 is swingably connected to the table top39 and is positioned in seating position along the edge 51 of theextension. The table top 39 is supported by the chairs 40, 41, 42 and43. Additional chairs 54 and 55 may be arranged at other places at thetable extension as illustrated in FIG. 6. The chairs 54 and 55 may beseparate chairs or they may be arranged with rollers and swingablymounted to the extension if desired. It is also to be understood that asimilar extension may be arranged on the opposite side of the table top39 and additional chairs supplied if desired. It is to be understoodthat with this arrangement the size of the table top and the number andarrangement of chairs is adapted for small tables or for large tablesaccording to the number of people desired to be seated at the table and,also, due to the arrangement of the captive swinging movement of thechairs, the table and chair structures may be arranged with suitablespacing from adjacent table and chairs with a desired aisle spacetherebetween substantially maintained and, furthermore, that the floorsurface under the table and chair combinations can be easily cleaned dueto the unobstructed area under the table top and the movablerelationship of the chairs.

It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and describedcertain forms of our invention, it is not to be limited to the specificforms or arrangements of parts herein described and shown except insofaras such limitations are included in the claims.

What we .claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A table and chair combination comprising,

(a) a table top,

(b) a plurality of chairs, spaced around said table top,

(c) means extending from each of said chairs and pivotally connectedrelative to said table top for swinging movement of said chairs aboutrespective vertical axes,

(d) and a plurality of spaced floor-engaging rollers on said chairs forrollingly supporting same inde pendently of the connection with thetable top with the rolling axes of the rollers of the respective chairbeing fixed relative thereto with said axes on respective linesintersecting the vertical axis of movement of the respective chair sothat the roller positions define an are on which said chair rolls aboutsaid respective vertical axis with an absence of responsive movement ofthe table top and independently of swinging movement of the other chairsabout their respective axes.

2. A table and chair combination comprising,

(a) a table top,

(b) a plurality of chairs spaced around said table top,

(0) rigid means extending from each of said chairs under the table topand pivotally connected relative to said table top for swinging movementof said chairs about respective vertical axes,

(d) and a plurality of spaced floor-engaging rollers on said chairs forrollingly supporting same independently of the connection with the tabletop with the rolling axes of the rollers of the respective chair beingfixed relative thereto with said rolling axes on respective linesintersecting the vertical axis of move-\ ment of the respective chair sothat the roller positions define an are on which said chair is rollableabout its respective vertical axis with an absence of responsive lateralforce on said table top due to such rolling movement.

3. A table and chair combination of claim 2 wherein:

(a) the chairs and the extending means thereon form the sole support forthe table top and the combination is characterized by said table topremaining in selection position during rolling movement of the chairsabout the respective vertical axes of their connection with the tabletop.

4. A table and chair combination comprising:

(a) a table top,

(b) a plurality of chairs spaced around said table top,

(c) 'said chairs each having a plurality of legs,

(d) rigid means connected to each of said chairs and terminating in anend spaced from the respective chair,

(e) means connecting the respective ends of said rigid means to thetable top in supporting engagement therewith, said connecting meanspermitting swinging movement of said chair relative thereto about avertical axis whereby said respective rigid means and chair will moveabout said vertical axis,

(f) and a plurality of spacer means including floorengaging rollersmovably supporting said chairs for rolling movement on a floorindependently of the connection with the table with saidmeans for eachchair fixed to the legs thereof and the rollers thereof having theirrespective rolling axes fixed relative to the respective chair and onlines intersecting the ver tical axis about which the respective chairis movable so that the roller positions define an are on which saidchair is rollable about its respective vertical axis and the rollers ofall of the chairs cooperate in retaining the table top in selectedposition by resisting lateral movement thereof.

5. A chair structure comprising:

(a) a seat member,

(b) a plurality of spaced legs connected to said seat member insupporting relation thereto,

(c) a roller carrier fixed to each of said legs,

(d) and a floor-engaging roller on each carrier and rotatable on an axiswith the rolling axes of the rollers all being fixed relative to saidseat member and intersecting at a single point spaced from said legs sothat the roller positions define an arc of movement of the chair inrolling of the rollers on a floor with said are being about a verticalaxis extending through said single point, said chair being characterizedby its movement in said arc about said vertical axis and the absence ofany connection with any fixed pivot on the floor.

6. A chair structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

(a) an extension is fixed relative to said seat member and has a bearingportion on said vertical axis in vertically spaced relation to the pointthereon intersected by said roller axes, said bearing portion be ingadapted for connection to a member relative to which the chair ismovable, said chair being movable in an are about said vertical axiswith an absence of any lateral force on said connection member due tosuch chair movement.

7. A table and chair combination comprising:

(a) a table top,

(b) a plurality of chairs spaced around said table top,

(c) said chairs each having a plurality of legs,

((1) rigid means connected to each of said chairs and terminating in anend spaced from the respective chair and adapted to be positioned undersaid table top with the respective chair arranged for a person to sit atsaid table,

(e) means pivotally connecting the respective ends of said rigid meansto the table top in supporting engagement therewith, said pivotalconnecting means permitting swinging movement of said chair relativethereto on a vertical axis whereby said respective rigid means and chairwill move about said 7 vertical axis,

(f) and means including floor-engaging rollers movably supporting saidchairs for rolling movement on a floor with said means for each chairfixed one to each leg thereof and the rollers thereof having theirrespective rollings axes fixed relative to the respective chair and onlines intersecting the vertical axis about which the respective chair ismovable,

(g) said chairs being the sole support of the table top with each of thechairs rollable in an are about its respective vertical axis,

(h) said roller axes of the rollers on the chairs being arranged wherebyin all positions of said chairs lateral movement of the table top isresisted by rollers having their axes substantially in the directionthereof.

8. A table top and chair combination comprising:

(a) a table top of generally polygonal shape,

(b) said table top having side edges with adjacent edges intersecting incorners,

(c) a plurality of chairs spaced around said table top with said chairsadapted to be positioned one to a side edge for a person to sit at saidtable,

(d) said chairs each having a plurality of legs,

(e) said chairs each having arms,

(f) rigid means connected to each of said chairs as an extension of oneof said arms of a respective chair and extending therefrom under thetable top and terminating in an end,

(g) means adjacent each of the corners of the table for pivotallyconnecting an end of said rigid means of a respective chair to the tabletop in supporting engagement therewith, said pivotal connecting meanspermitting swinging movement of said chair relative thereto on avertical axis whereby said respective rigid means and chair will moveabout said vertical axis,

(h) and floor-engaging roller carrier means fixed on each of said chairlegs whereby the rollers support said chairs for rolling movement on afloor with each of said rollers of a chair having its respective rollingaxis fixed on a line intersecting the vertical axis about which therespective chair is movable, said table top and chair assembly beingcharacterized by the table top being wholly supported by said movablechairs and remaining stationary during movement of a chair in itsrespective are about its respective vertical axis.

9. A table top and chair combination comprising:

(a) a table top of generally rectangular shape,

(b) said table top having side edges with adjacent edges intersecting incorners,

(c) a plurality of chairs spaced around said table top with said chairsadapted to be positioned one to a side edge for a person to sit at saidtable,

((1) said chairs each having a plurality of legs,

(e) said chairs each having arms,

(f) rigid means connected to each of said chairs as an extension of oneof said arms of a respective chair and extending therefrom under thetable top and terminating in an end,

(g) means adjacent each of the corners of the table for pivotallyconnecting an end of said rigid means of an adjacent chair to the tabletop in supporting engagement therewith, said pivotal connecting meanspermitting swinging movement of said chair relative thereto on avertical axis whereby said respective rigid means and chair will moveabout said vertical axis and said table top is wholly supported by saidchairs,

(h) floor-engaging roller carrier means fixed on each of said chair legswhereby the rollers movably support said chairs for rolling movement ona floor with each of said rollers of a chair having its respectiverolling axis fixed on a line intersecting the vertical axis about whichthe respective chair is movable whereby each chair rolls in an are aboutits respective vertical axis with an absence of responsive movement ofthe table top and independently of swinging movement of the other chairsabout their respective axes,

(i) and an extension table top arranged at a side edge of said table topand adapted to be fixed relative thereto, said chair normally arrangedat the side edge of the table top in which the extension table top ispositioned being rollable in an are about its respective vertical axisto a sitting position at a side edge of the table top and extensiontable adjacent to the pivotal mounting of said rigid means of therespective chair.

10. A chair and table combination comprising:

(a) a table top having an upper surface and a bottom surface,

(b) a plurality of chairs spaced around the table top,

(0) said chairs each having a plurality of spaced legs,

(d) said chairs each having at least one arm,

(e) an extension for each chair and rigid with an arm thereof, saidextension extending under the table top in vertically spaced relation tothe bottom surface thereof,

(f) a bearing member for each chair fixed to the table top, said bearingmembers being equi-distantly spaced from adjacent bearing members andhaving equal spacing inwardly from the table edge at which a respectivechair is positioned for seating of a person at the table,

(g) means pivotally connecting an extension of a chair to a respectivebearing member in table top supporting relation, said pivotal connectingmeans permitting relative movement about a vertical axis extendingtherethrough whereby said chair is movable relative to the table topabout said respective vertical axis,

(h) a roller carrier fixed to each of said legs of the chairs forsupporting the respective chairs for rolling movement on a floor,

(i) and a floor-engaging roller on each carrier and rotatable on ahorizontal axis with the rolling axes of the rollers of a chair allhaving a fixed relationship and intersecting substantially at a commonpoint, the respective vertical axis about which the respective chair isrollable,

(j) said chairs and their connection with the table top being the solesupport of the table top with the structure being characterized by thetable top remaining in selected position during movement of the chairswhich are individually rollable relative to the table top in an arctoward and away from a table edge at which the chair is adapted to bepositioned for seating of a person at the table.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 368,477 8/87 Laneet a1. 272-70 X 896,126 8/08 Long 108-69 1,283,733 11/18 Gorney 297-140X 1,339,232 5/20 St. John et a1. 297-141 1,493,119 5/24 Love 297-1592,461,683 2/49 Dierickx 297-142 2,488,222 11/49 Morgan 297-142 X2,607,085 8/52 Toulmin 297-141 X 2,827,354 3/58 Wassell et al 312-3052,955,888 10/60 Graves 108-69 2,995,368 8/ 61 Moorhead 272-33 FOREIGNPATENTS 151,345 5/53 Australia.

7,805 19/10 Great Britain. 864,895 4/61 Great Britain. 228,181 10/ 43Switzerland.

40 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

1. A TABLE AND CHAIR COMBINATION COMPRISING, (A) A TABLE TOP, (B) APLURALITY OF CHAIRS SPACED AROUND SAID TABLE TOP, (C) MEANS EXTENDINGFROM EACH OF SAID CHAIRS AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED RELATIVE TO SAID TABLETOP FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID CHAIRS ABOUT RESPECTIVE VERTICAL AXES,(D) AND A PLURALITY OF SPACED FLOOR-ENGAGING ROLLERS ON SAID CHAIRS FORROLLINGLY SUPPORTING SAME INDEPENDENTLY OF THE CONNECTION WITH THE TABLETOP WITH THE ROLLING AXES OF THE ROLLERS OF THE RESPECTIVE CHAIR BEINGFIXED RELATIVE THERETO WITH SAID AXES ON RESPECTIVE LINES INTERSECTINGTHE VERTICAL AXIS OF MOVEMENT OF THE RESPECTIVE CHAIR SO THAT THE ROLLERPOSITIONS DE-